Tree Talks: Populus Tremuloides (Winter)
Location: Kenosha Pass, Colorado, USA
Date: January 16, 2022
Time: 12:00 - 2:30 p.m. MT

The second of four seasonal talks organized by artist Ben Kinsley focused on understanding the Quaking Aspen tree. The Winter talk features lectures by guest speakers Marilyn A. Martorano, Christine Biermann, and Brian Linkhart.

Populus tremuloides (Winter Series)

JANUARY 16, 2022
Kenosha Pass, Colorado 

Dr. Brian D. Linkhart is a Professor of Ornithology in the Department
of Organismal Biology and Ecology at Colorado College, where he has taught field courses in Ornithology, Ecology, and Field Biology since 2001. Previously, he was a seasonal research biologist for the U.S. Forest Service for 18 years, and he began teaching summer field seminars on forest ecology in the mid-1980s. For the past 40 years, Brian has conducted research on the population ecology of Flammulated Owls, which are tiny raptors that nest in cavities excavated by woodpeckers, often in quaking aspen trees, within old pine forests of western North America.

Populus tremuloides: Brian Linkhart

JANUARY 16, 2022
Kenosha Pass, Colorado 

Christine Biermann, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at University of Colorado Colorado Springs, where she leads the Tree Ring Lab. Since 2007, she has been studying the annual growth rings in trees to investigate issues of environmental change in forests. With UCCS students and colleagues, Christine is currently studying how drought and warming temperatures are affecting Colorado’s alpine treeline and foothills ecosystems.

Populus tremuloides: Christine Biermann

JANUARY 16, 2022
Kenosha Pass, Colorado

Marilyn A. Martorano is a Registered Professional Archaeologist with over 40 years of experience in the Rocky Mountain region. She began studying historic culturally peeled ponderosa pine trees at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in 1977. Marilyn wrote her thesis on Culturally Modified Trees (CMTs) and has continued research on a variety of species including aspen and a newly-identified CMT type, bristlecone pine. Her archaeological research interests also include early Hispano settlement in southern Colorado; and lithophones, a previously-unidentified Colorado prehistoric rock artifact type exhibiting acoustical properties.

Populus tremuloides: Marilyn Martorano

"Tree Talks" is an ongoing project by artist Ben Kinsley focused on understanding trees from a multitude of perspectives, one species at a time. 

The inaugural series "Populus Tremuloides" focused on quaking aspen, the most widely distributed tree in North America. Once per season, from October 2021–August 2022, the public was invited to gather within a grove of quaking aspen at Kenosha Pass, Colorado to hear lectures by experts from diverse fields—ranging from ecologists to poets—who each shared their knowledge of the tree. The sounds of these gatherings were recorded using a variety of microphones to capture human voices, scientific information, poetic and metaphysical ideas, and the sounds of the aspen and other flora and fauna of the landscape. 

The full talks are provided here. 

"Tree Talks: Populus Tremuloides" was produced by Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum and culminated in the release of a limited edition lathe cut vinyl record and publication. The record is available for purchase via the Black Cube shop (link below).